Effect of Academic Achievement Motivation on Academic Performance of Students

Abstract

The study aimed to examine the effect of age, gender and academic achievement motivation on academic performance of students. A 2x2x3 factorial design with Two age groups (Early Adolescents: 11-14 yrs. ; Late Adolescents: 15-18 yrs.) x Gender (Boys ; Girls) x Three levels of academic achievement motivation (High, Average ; Low) was used and a total of 240 students participated in the present study. Academic Achievement Motivation Test was applied to identify the level of academic achievement motivation in students. Further, Students’ academic performance was assessed with help of Academic Performance Test and their scholastic achievements in annual exams. Data analysis was done using Univariate analysis. Results revealed significant effect of academic achievement motivation on academic performance. Specifically, highly motivated students performed very superior on academic performance test in various subjects i.e., English, Hindi, Science, Social Science and mathematics as compared to average and low motivated  group of students. Similarly, scholastic achievement of high motivated students was found higher than their average and low motivated counterparts. Despite this, the effects of age and gender on academic performance were found partially significant. Early adolescent group performed better in Social Science and Mathematics whereas, late adolescents scored more in English subject. However, the aggregate score of all subjects was found higher in early adolescents as compared with late adolescents. Likewise, boys were found superior in Mathematics, English and as a whole whereas, girls achieved better in Hindi, Science and Social Science subjects than their boys’ counterparts. Findings are discussed.